Gloucester Harbor from Ledge Hill
Lady Slipper Orchids (2)
Fernwood Lake
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Ravenswoods Park - Hike
Did a hike with a meetup group to Ravenswood Park in Gloucester, MA. It was an interesting hike as our group got lost twice and there was no one really designated as a sweeper. There were several folks that signed up for the meetup and met up at the trailhead, but 10 minutes into the hike, they were no longer a part of the group. The weather was great and there were a few spots that were muddy. Not too buggy, just in a couple places with standing water. In any case, I took a few photos.....
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Rock Rimmon - Spring Rock Climbing
Such a great crag and easy to get to! Rock Rimmon is one of my favorites places to climb! Ropes were set up on the Far Left Slabs and I got to climb both the right and middle Tippy Toe routes. These were easy routes on slabs and great as a warmup. With no brightly colored holds, it was great to be climbing outdoors FINALLY! I tied in on the Tippy Toe Middle anchors so that I could snap some shots of those making their climbs, some for the very first time outdoors! Some photos of the days fun!
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
SOLO Wilderness First Aid & AHA-CPR/AED Certification Courses
I love the outdoors and enjoy solo hiking as well as
hiking in groups. So I was psyched when the Northeast Peak Baggers Meetup Group
offered the SOLO WFA (Wilderness First Aid) certification course hosted by
JUMP, Inc! I signed up and paid my online deposit right away to ensure my
place. I was also happy that the course was held less than an hour's drive from
me. I quickly checked the SOLO (Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunities) website
and started to worry when I read the long list of course topics that would be
covered over two days. It was an extensive list but when I got to the class that
first day, it was evident I'd have no problems.
The SOLO WFA course was designed for the outdoor
enthusiasts, providing skills and knowledge in case an emergency should arise. As
a WFA provider, medical emergencies must be quickly evaluated, and care administered
as the closest and fastest medical response can sometimes be hours if not, days
away. The application of Wilderness First Aid can make the difference for an
injured patient chances of survival and comfort.
Taught by John
Kascenska of Kingdom Adventures Mountain Guides, John was very organized, thorough and funny.
Course manuals were handed out first thing on the first day. There were 19
students in the course and they ranged from the early 20's to 55+! All were
outdoor enthusiasts who loved an array of outdoor sports from hiking, biking, backpacking
to skiing.
The SOLO WFA course was hosted by JUMP, Inc (Just Understand My Potential) at the Leominster Boys & Girls Club. The clubhouse is situated in a former private school on conservation land, with some parts of the surrounding grounds still under construction.
The course is 16 hours and over the course of two days we
covered topics such as Response & Assessment, Musculoskeletal Injuries,
Environmental Emergencies & Survival Skills, Soft Tissue Injuries &
Medical Emergency. There were in-class lectures, role playing and outdoor
rescue exercises throughout the two days. To say that this course is jam-packed
is an understatement.
We worked in groups on many exercises, repeating them
several times while alternating practicing on all the members in our
groups. I especially enjoyed working
outside on simulated rescue exercises.
The Hypowrap - Human Burrito!
Transfers & Carries
Lifting & Moving
Patient Assessment
Bandaging Skills
Under the microscope
One of the most important skills I learned was
improvising. For example, I learned how to create splints using the materials I
had in my backpack as well as with materials found in the outdoors. I also had
the opportunity (pleasure?) to play the "patient" during several of
the exercises.
Improvising leg splint (3)
My right leg in a splint
I've also learned about what to pack and have updated my personal
first aid kit to include Cravats (Triangular Bandages), Burn Gel, SAM Splints, Rescue
Key Shield (disposal CPR Mask) and Nitrile Gloves.
The CPR/AED Certification Course (American Heart
Association) was also available so I signed up for it. This was taught after
the first day of the SOLO WFA course. We learned how to administer CPR and were
given direction on how to use the AED (Automated External Defibrillator).
CPR Dummy
Lunch was included with the price and provided by Bill Spacciapoli
of JUMP, Inc. Bill cooked a mean vegetarian Chili and brought in Panera Bread
sandwiches for the first day. The second day Bill brought in Pizza. Coffee, bottled
water and snacks were provided for both days.
Bill S. in the kitchen
At the end of the second day, John passed out our SOLO
WFA and AHA-CPR/AED certificate cards. We also filled out a feedback form and
he suggested Chinook Medical Gear for supplies
for our First Aid kits.
Overall, this was an outstanding course! I highly
recommend this course especially if you spend a great deal of time outdoors. This
was an inspiring two days and I anxiously await for the Advanced WFA! It was a
pleasure working and learning alongside Allison and Anne of The Northeast Peak
Baggers Meetup Group, as well as the other students. Special thanks go to John Kascenska and Bill Spacciapoli
for an exceptional weekend of learning!
Links of Interest:
SOLO Wilderness Medicine
American Heart Association Heartsaver CPR/AED
JUMP, Inc (Just Understand My Potential)
Bill Spacciapoli
John Kascenska
Kingdom Adventures Mountain Guides
Northeast Peak Baggers Meetup Group
Chinook Medical Gear
One Woman, 48 4000-footers (Allison's blog)
SoapNote iPhone/iPad App
Monday, February 27, 2012
Stinson Mountain - Winter Hiking
Stinson Mountain (2,850ft)
Elevation Gain: 1,300ft
Trails: Stinson Mountain, Snowmobile
Distance: 3.6 miles roundtrip
Duration: 3.75 hr (includes
stops for breaks along the trail, and at the summit)
Difficulty: Moderate
Another NH 52 With A View! Located
in Rumney, NH, Stinson Mountain is just up the road from the Rumney Rock
Climbing area. The lower Doetown Road to the trailhead, as well as the
trailhead, wasn't plowed but there wasn't much snow on the ground and I was
able to drive to and park at the trailhead. Shortly before starting two other cars
pulled into the parking lot. I wanted to
be alone so I quickly got my gear on and headed up the trail.
It was very sunny and temps in the
low 20's. About 0.7 mile I had to take off my 3rd layer (my insulated jacket
liner) and change to a 'thinner' 3rd
layer. It was nice to hike in snow. Back in Massachusetts there is no snow on
the ground.....it's just cold and brown! Yuck! To be hiking in snow was
invigorating. The snow was fluffy and the trail not packed, but MicroSpikes
were enough.
I relished in hiking alone, even if
it were only for a while. By the time I reached the old tractor road junction
(now a snowmobile trail), a group of hikers had caught up to me. I let them
pass, taking my time drinking water and taking photos. I continued up the snowmobile
trail staying back from the group and when they got to the hiking trail
junction they stopped for a rest. I stopped too, remaining behind them.
The group split with a few of them
continuing onto the hiking trail and a couple heading up the snowmobile trail. I
continued slowly onto the trail, putting some distance between me and the
group. The trail was easy to navigate, although some steep spots were a bit
slippery due to the powdery snow over ice.
At the summit, the group of hikers
were still there so I went down a side path hoping this would lead me to the
ledge for views. No deal, it kept getting steeper so I turned back around but
not after putting on my 4th layer, an outer shell. By the time I got back to
the summit, the group of hikers had left. I started taking photos from all
angles. And I also tried to get my Peaks app on my iPhone working. It was slow
but eventually it came up.
I was alone at the summit for 15
minutes when 4 women came up. I recognized 3 of them right away as we had hiked
together with the Over 50 Hiking Meetup group. We sat and ate our lunches
quickly, chit-chatting as well. We weren't alone for long. A dad and his two
sons showed up on their snowmobiles. And shortly after, 3 more guys showed up.
They took a quick look around and then left. We watched them as they drove off
in their noisy rides, leaving us with their exhaust.
I checked the time and mentioned I had
been at the summit for 45 minutes and had to get started back down. I let them
know that I was making the loop, by taking the snowmobile trail then getting
back onto the Stinson Mountain trail to get back to the trailhead. The 4 of
them joined me on the descent. We made it back to the trailhead in just under
an hour. It was a brisk walk filled with conversation and laughter as we spoke
of youthful appearances, longevity and sex at our ages.
On my way out I stopped by Stinson Lake to see if I could photograph any ice fishermen. No one was there except for one guy clearing the ice top for hockey practice.
So glad to be able to get out and
hike in snow! LOL! Also, this hike was a good chance to try out my new winter
hiking boots. I bought a pair of The North Face McMurdo II Women's Winter Boot
from EMS. It was such a great deal. Originally priced at $130, I bought these
boots on sale for $56! And to boot (no pun intended), I ordered it online and
got free shipping. I really like the fit of these new boots better than my
Merrill winter boots, they are a good width for my foot. And even with
SmartWool socks over a sock liner, it was a comfortable fit and my toes were
nice and warm throughout the entire hike! I have two pairs of Merrill brand
boots (a winter and a 3-season pair) and those are going back in exchange for a
pair of 3-season hiking boots!
**Click on photos to view larger images
Almost there!
At the trailhead
Along the Stinson Mountain Trail
I think this is Willoughby Mountain
At the summit (7)
Mt. Moosilauke through the trees
Seriously??!! Carry in, carry out!
Stinson Lake, Rumney, NH
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